Working in the community and helping young people is part of the Rotary Club ethos and this year Hyde Rotary sponsored a day out for 40 students from Leigh Primary School in Hyde at the Pettypool Activity Centre; an adventure centre set in 17 acres of beautiful woodland in Northwich, Cheshire.

It is well known that children gain enormous benefits from learning outdoors. It supports confidence and allows opportunities for big scale play, problem-solving and creativity in the company of other children, and physical activity is enhanced.

The students enjoyed a day of climbing, exploring forest adventure trails and tucked in to a variety of country culinary delights.

Recovering from showing off his mountaineering skills on one of the climbing walls, Hyde Rotary Club President, Kevin Maddox, said, “What a wonderful day we have had. All these children today have taken part in a host of imaginative and inventive playful learning; they have also learnt the importance of taking risks and overcoming challenges and obstacles. And, when you consider that some of the children have not been outside the borough or had the opportunity to explore the wonderful countryside we are surrounded by, taking part in today’s outdoor activities, out in the fresh air, was an added bonus!”

Confirming that the club’s continuing support to the young people in our community, Kevin concluded, “We had a great day enjoying with the children and teachers, not only an educational and team building experience, but also a way of opening up the children’s eyes to the facilities that are available here in the North West.”

In ‘Scouting for Boys’ Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, referred to the Knights of the Round Table in the Arthurian Legend and to St George who was their Patron Saint and is the Patron Saint of Scouting all over the world.

As St George was typical of what a Scout should be. So, the Sunday nearest to St George’s Day (23rd April) has become an annual occasion for all United Kingdom Scouts to hold ceremonies to reaffirm their Promise and acknowledge the Scout Law in a national act of dedication.

The legend of St George, which is an allegory illustrating the triumph of good over evil, tells how he rode into the city of Silene in what is now Libya, to find people terrorised by a dragon which was fed daily with one of the citizens.

The next victim was to be Cleolinda, daughter of the King, but St George rode out, slew the dragon and freed the people from their oppressor. Thus, whether in the context of history or legend, to Baden-Powell, the story of St George epitomised the qualities of selflessness and moral and physical courage which he saw in Scouting.

Following this tradition Tameside Scouts held their St George’s Day parade last Sunday.

The parade in Ashton was lead by the Dover Explorer Scouts colour party who had the honour of carrying the flag of St George this year, (a white flag with a red cross) They were followed by the Middleton Brass Band playing the marching tunes, followed by Angela Rayner MP, Cllr Joyce Bowerman and the Scout Commissioners and all the other Scouts, which numbered approximately 400 members.

They marched from Old Street round the market and war memorial to Albion Church, where the service; led by the Minister Edward Inglis who received the flag from the Dover’s colour party which he laid on the altar.

This year, it was the turn of 2nd Ashton Scouts Sean Oreilly GSL and his leaders from the West End to the run the presentation at the service. The Scout group had been researching Scouts who had acted with great courage and bravery, like St George. During their research, they found the first Scout who joined in 1907 the movement at the start of Scouting. His name was Musgrave Wroughton aged 15 and he was known as Bob to his friends. In 1914, Bob went to the 1st World War with his regiment the 12th Lancers to fight in Ypres in Belgium and fought with great courage and bravery, but unfortunately he was killed in action in 1915 at the young age of 23 years.

Another young Scout was John Cornwall who was awarded the Victoria Cross for staying at his gun on the HMS Chester during the battle of Jutland in 1916. John remained at his post, manning a gun when all his gun crew had been killed until he too was eventually killed in the action.

The Scout Association now have the ‘Cornwall Award’ for bravery under extreme circumstances for people under 20 years old.

Part of the St George’s service is for all Scouts to stand, salute and renew their promises, Beavers 6 to 8 years old, ‘I promise to do my best. To be kind and helpful and to love God.’ Cubs 8 to 10, I promise that, ‘I will do my best to do my duty to God and the Queen.’ To help other people and to keep the Cub Scout law.’ For Scouts 10 to 14, Explorers 14 to 18, Networks 18 to 25 and Leaders 18 upwards, ‘On my honour I promise that I that I will do my best to do my duty to God and to the Queen to help other people and to keep the Scout Law.’

There are many different versions of the ‘Duty to God’ in the Scout Promise to cater for the many different religions and faiths for the girls and boys in scouting today.

The service is also where awards are presented to Scouts and Supporters to Scouting and this year the District Commissioner Andy Morton presented Award for Merits for service to Scouting, to:

Susan Frankish supporter to 413th Droylsden,

Mark Fish 6th Ashton Scout Leader,

Alan Burgess fund raiser 2/1 Hurst,

Karen Longley 2/1 Hurst Cub Scout Leader and

Dave Batty Treasurer to 6th Ashton.

Mr Andy Morton also presented the Wood Beads for leaders completing their full Scout training to:

Gillian Cummins ADC Cubs,

Tina Howarth GSL 3rd Ashton,

Stephen Longley GSL 2/1 Hurst,

Richard Dannah SL,

Danielle Hyde ABL 6th Ashton.

He also invested into Scouting after they had accepted the Scout Law and Promise,

Heather Pearce ADC Scouts,

Donna and Jim Boden SAS,

Julie Artingstall ACSL 339th Droylsden and

Richard Brown ABSL 250th Droylsden.

Following the presentations of awards the MP for Ashton and current Shadow Secretary of State for Education, Angela Rayner, congratulated all the award winners and thanked all the Leaders and Supporters for the great work they do for young people in Scouting.

At the end of the service the blessing was given and the St George Flag recovered by the flag party and tea and biscuits was served by the Scout Active Support group.

Following the service Angela Rayner’s, two sons are going to join a local Scout Group as they have now moved into Ashton.

The District Commissioner Andy Morton said, “This year’s parade was excellent, we had lovely weather and a brass band for the first time for many years, and the service, which was conducted by the Reverend Edward Inglis who showed us his Superman impressions and 2nd Ashton Scouts presentation was also excellent”.

He went onto say, “I would like to thank Angela Reyner for taking the time to turn up and showing her appreciation of what Scouting means to everybody, and also to Councillor Joyce Bowerman for supporting the Scouts, as she has done for many years. I would like to give a special thanks to Peter Douthwaite and Martin Roache from the Freemasons for their large donation and many other people who donated to our Crowd funding appeal for the band, and to Vanessa Rothwell for her support from Stronger Communities in Tameside Council”.

Alan Fish added his thanks to Albion Church for letting the Scouts to use the church, also behind the scenes Gary Edwards, Tameside Highways and Lauren Redfern, Tameside Traffic Operations, plus our Support Active Scouting team supporting the safety of the parade, and in church, one of the most important jobs, organising the tea and biscuits!”

If you would like to help scouting as a Leader or a Supporter contact Alan: fish.161te@gmail.com 07931765120 or go to www.gmescouts.org.uk

THE Civic Mayor of Tameside’s Charity Golf Day raised £523.32 for the Mayor’s Charity Appeal.

In the event, which was held at Werneth Low Golf Club, Hyde, on Friday, first place was taken by Always a Pleasure, who were captained by the Mayor’s brother, Declan Fitzpatrick.

The Swingers came second, as they did in 2016. Third place was taken by the Werneth Low Boys who included the Captain and President of Werneth Low Golf Club, Andrew Errington and Kevan Tipper respectively.

Cllr Philip Fitzpatrick, the Civic Mayor, said: “It was a very enjoyable day and I think everyone who took part would agree that it went very well.

“I would like to thank all the teams that took part for their kind and generous support – helping us to raise just over £500 – and Werneth Low Golf Club for hosting the event.”

Yesterday evening (March 20th 2017) saw 20 young people take the first step in turning their lives around as they received their Prince’s Trust Award certificates for completing the 12 week programme, which is designed to set them on a positive career path and offers a clear opportunity to change their lives for the better.

As the GMFRS Hyde Team 16 & Stockport Team 22 Prince’s Trust team programme came to a close, the successful team members celebrated its successful conclusion by holding their Award’s presentation at the GMFRS Service Training Centre in Central Manchester.

After the brief welcoming speeches by GMFRS Managers and an introduction from Jill Lysons, representing The Princes Trust, the candidates spoke with nervous passion about their career paths to date, their previous trepidations and feelings, and how by completing this 12 week course, which included problem solving, team building, first aid, and community involvement projects and fundraising, they had all turned a corner and were looking forward with renewed enthusiasm, confidence and improved self regard, to go out and compete for jobs in today’s market.

Listening to these young people talk enthusiastically about the practical work experiences they gained whilst on placement with local companies; and by working systematically together on a variety of community based projects, it became clear that both teams developed a new found understanding of partnerships and teamwork and learned the importance of communicating effectively, dealing with difficulties and persevering, whilst appreciating the fact that they are not living in a bubble, but are an integral part of an interdependent, multigenerational society.

The very fact that these young people were able to eloquently speak frankly about their personal experiences on the course, and their expectations for the future, proved to all their family members, friends and invited guests that they had grown from timid and withdrawn individuals to confident young adults with new skills, who now look forward to bringing a positive change to their communities.

For over 40 years The Prince’s Trust has been helping young people turn their lives around, and now in its 41st year, their mission still remains the same. This is that every young person should have the chance to succeed.

If you are interested in joining the next Prince’s Trust Team, or know of a young person who would benefit from joining the 12 week FREE course – recruitment starts on Monday 22nd May 2017.

Hyde Community Action celebrated the achievements of their volunteers and the outstanding contribution to Hyde Community Action they make at an event attended by Jonathan Reynolds MP.

At the event last month, 30 volunteers were awarded for their contribution. The stories of seven courageous women stood out. These were all stories of local Bengali women, who have overcome many personal obstacles to step out of their comfort zone in order to achieve great things for themselves and for the wider Hyde community.

Confidence soars for Syeda

Representatives from the NHS, local councillor Jim Fitzpatrick and a large crowd of HCA volunteers and supporters heard the story of Syeda, who received the Exceptional Progress Award on the night. Syeda arrived in the UK from Bangladesh to become a housewife. For years she was isolated and had low confidence, spending all of her time looking after her family and overlooking herself. But this all changed when she came across a creative crafts class at Hyde Community Action. This was a lifeline that gave Syeda a new purpose and new friends. Her confidence grew and over the years she became so involved as a volunteer, that she started to lead the sessions herself. Fast forward to 2017 where Syeda’s confidence has blossomed and she is successfully running additional crafts classes both at Hyde Community Action and in Newton.

Baking a difference

The audience also heard the story of Volunteer of the Year award winner Salma, who decided that in addition to being a full time mum, she wanted to give something back to the community through volunteering. Her enthusiasm and commitment to reach out and engage with women in the community, who needed support to come forward and make positive changes in their lives, earned her the award. Through Salma’s very popular baking sessions, she builds rapport with the ladies and supports them in taking on new challenges.

Said Salma: “So I wanted to do something that made a difference rather than get a job and just get paid, decided to go into volunteering, since I have started with HCA I have really enjoyed all the training and I have learned so much about making a difference in people’s lives.”

Onwards and upwards

The official part of the proceedings ended as a group of volunteers released messages of optimism and freedom in the form of balloons. Hyde Community Action Chair of Trustees, Caroline Gregory, said of the event: “HCA has been able to improve the lives of many people in Hyde and other parts of Tameside by providing activities and services that we know are needed and welcomed by the community. We make a difference to many people and you must never doubt the value of what happens at HCA. It is a unique organisation which works with local people to give them what they want.“

Caroline concluded: “Volunteers are essential to HCA, and all of us involved work hard to try to make this an enjoyable and worthwhile experience for you as well as you being invaluable assets for us. You give freely of your time and skills and are very much valued. “

Last Saturday night Hyde Rotary staged their own version of ‘Last Night at the Prom’s’ held at Hyde’s Oaklands Hall.

Playing once again to a large capacity audience, promenader’s arrived early, enthusiastically dressed for the occasion in Union Flags and Union Jack accessories; those that forgot their outfits were offered flags and hats at the door.

At the start of the show, Denton brass and guest soprano Sarah Kinsey played two sets and in the second half, traditional proms music filled the room with song and ardent audience participation as they reached the closing rendition of the National Anthem – God Save the Queen, to which the promenader’s insisted on a encore!

The event could have gone on all night.

Organizer Kevin Maddox said, “In my Presidential year, the Macmillan unit is my chosen charity and it will give me great pleasure to hand a cheque to Rose Tipton, the Fund Raising Manager for the unit that will directly benefit residents in Tameside and Glossop.

The raffle on the night raised £230.00 thanks to everyone who donated prizes. The total profits came to £871.00 which will be donated to The Tameside Macmillan Unit.

Our thanks also go out to our guest soprano Sarah Kinsey who supported the band.”

Stalybridge Celtic’s Easter Monday fixture versus Chorley FC, was designated as a ‘Charity Day’, with four local charities invited to Bower Fold, to raise awareness of the work each individual charity does and to raise valuable funds.

They welcomed the Anthony Seddon Fund, a mental health charity, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, to the game to carry out a ‘Bucket Collection, as one of six official collections of the season. And they say big ‘thank you’ to all those who donated on the day.

As part of the FA Charity Shield; the annual curtain raiser to the football season, the clubwere awarded £2,000, along with other football clubs in the pyramid, to distribute to local charities.

“Rather than give the whole amount to one charitable organisation, we decided to split it between three. A cheque for £1,000 was given to Willow Wood Hospice, as part of the clubs longstanding support to the Hospice. £500 was given to ‘The Believe and Achieve Trust’ who have been our chosen Community Development charity this season, and a further £500 was given to Reuben’s Retreat, who we have been working with for the past two seasons” said Mike Smith, Stalybridge Celtic’s Community Development Officer.

“Our thanks go to the Football Association for the very kind donation, I know all threecharities really appreciated it!”

If you would like to nominate a Charity to be part of Stalybridge Celtic’s match day ‘Bucket Collection’s’ next season, please contact Mike Smith at: community@stalybridgeceltic.co.uk

After consistently strong rating performances in our first two seasons, the only online, daily up-dated website that brings visitors the latest local news, has expanding its regional reach.

Over the relatively short time from its inception in November 2013, Hyde Community Matters has developed from a Hyde centred glossy 24page ‘Community News Magazine’ thorough to December 2014 when we took the project online to become a daily up-dated online community news site, which to date has attracted well over 370,000 visitors, – all eager to read the local news; – and that number is still growing!

Now, in response to a number of requests to cover news and events from our friends in neighbouring towns and villages, we are pleased to announce that we have gently expanded our news coverage to provide a more comprehensive reader service by covering good news, events and achievements from individuals, communities and businesses, from a little further afield – no longer exclusively covering one town, but the whole of Tameside and the surrounding regions, and by doing so, we’re better placed to support our local advertisers growing development needs.

“Of all our current partners we spoke with, Karen Dorney of Hyde’s Paper Tulips understands the success and potential of our in-depth local news coverage; and as the owner of Tameside’s premier craft emporiums and organiser of monthly Artisan Markets, she is uniquely positioned to back our expansion, as it encourages potential customers from much wider areas,”

“While continuing to put our readers at the heart of everything we do; we are committed to continue to cover in-depth local news articles, showcase local events, shout about schools and student achievements and profile specialist real-life features that celebrate those individuals who have achieved success, shown courage against the odds, or people who are making a difference within our local communities.”

To reflect these changes, we have changed the name to one that better echo’s the new site’s expanded content.

“Our aim is still to provide the best online news specifically to our close communities, by offering a convenient, one-click, local source of timely daily up-dated news, where visitors come first for information and advice, local businesses place their adverts and community groups put us at the top of their list when promoting their up-coming events.”

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL BUDDYING AND EXPERIENCED JOURNALISTS

We believe that this online expansion marks a return to real local news, giving readers the chance to learn more about what’s going on in their immediate area and to read (and write) news stories about what matters to them. We are therefore looking for ANY VOLUNTEERS from the different areas, (who’d like to see their work in print) so that we can have a ‘person on the ground’ who is in closer touch in identifying local happenings and who would become the main point of contact for local people; – promoting the work of local community organisations, voluntary sector groups and businesses, along with arts, school successes, sport and cultural activities that are taking place in their area.

WHAT WE NEED:

Budding or experienced reporters, with access to email, who wish to gain experience or give back to their local community

To find and root out stories of particular interest to people in their area

To write, research and interview for those stories, to build content on the website.

We also need a ‘Social Media’ savvy person to place local stories and events on Facebook & Twitter etc’ to drive site traffic.

This is a great opportunity for local budding and experienced journalists to hone their writing skills.

This wider reader appeal also adds a much more expansive opportunity for local advertisers to reach a vastly expanded audience, and by widening our readership, we plan to gradually introduce extra relevant categories like jobs, motoring, housing, and domestic services, among other localized topics.

So, if you would like to become a volunteer local correspondent, or are a forward thinking Community Group, Local Business, School, Sports Club, Faith Group or Charity organisation and have stories you think are newsworthy, want to publicise your events, achievements, or wish to advertise to a growing local audience, please contact us directly by email: roger@localcommunitymatters.com

Local Community Matters is a not-for-profit community trust, run by volunteers all of whom have strong links to the towns and people surrounding Tameside.

PCC Tony Lloyd hold cheques made out to the communities of each of GMP's divisions from the GMPCC's charity
Produced by Corporate & Media Imaging,
Corporate Communications,
Greater Manchester Police.

Greater Manchester Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd has announced he will be investing £950,000 into youth projects across Greater Manchester, each designed to raise young people’s aspirations, improve their life opportunities, and divert them away from a life of crime.

The projects typically receive funds of between £5,000 and £30,000, and are spread across the region. They use a mix of drama, sport, mentoring, training, and workshops to help young people make better life choices.

Tony said: “I’ve been running this scheme since 2014 and I’ve seen the difference it makes. Each project is different, but they are all built around the needs of children and young people.

“If we can raise young people’s aspirations from a young age; if we can show them that life is worth living and living well, then we can help set them on the right path and encourage them to make positive life decisions.”

Some schemes are designed to provide general support and boost self-esteem through activities and guidance, while others have been set up to help children with particular needs or to tackle specific issues such as child sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, and drug and alcohol misuse.

“The CiCC hopes that this funding will help to influence a change for this vulnerable group of children and young people. They will be working with local specialist services to build up trust and understanding about how they can help with drugs and alcohol misuse, health problems, anti-social behaviour.”

The Youth Aspiration Fund opened for applications in November 2016 and, in total, 199 applications were received, requesting a total of £3.6m.

Subject to due diligence checks, nearly £600,000 is to be distributed to 28 Youth Aspiration Fund schemes across Greater Manchester, and a further £350,000 will be used to sustain 7 existing schemes that have previously received funding and are now making a real difference to the lives of children and young people.

Amongst two other Tameside projects, who have benefitted from funding totalling £115,000. Social Soup – a youth engagement project for local young people in Tameside will receive a further £26,655 of funding from the scheme, making a huge total of over £142,000.

Supporting children in Manchester, Salford and Trafford, the Interserve project run by Manchester Young Lives has been awarded £60,000 over two years to continue supporting young people at risk from child sexual exploitation (CSE).

Manchester Young Lives Chief Executive, Paul Fletcher, said: “Manchester Young Lives is working with very vulnerable young people who have been exposed to CSE through relationships, grooming, trafficking and peer pressure; our work in the communities, schools and colleges is raising awareness of this very serious issue, helping young people to be empowered and informed to keep safe.”

Scouts from North Tameside District, Droylsden and Ashton, are looking for funds this year for a real band for their St Georges Parade on 23rd of April where all Scouts remake their promise.

At last year’s parade they had the Wyn Fish ‘Tango Orange CD Band’, which was basically a well placed loud speaker playing marching band music off the top of Wyn’s orange Land Rover, as the Scouts had no money for a real band.

This year the District Commissioner Andrew Morton wanted a real band so set up a Crowd Funding fund to raise money for a real band, if you would like to support his cause and see your band marching on the 23rd then go to http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/st-georges-day-parade/

The parade starts on Old Street outside Harrington and Hallsworth Sunday 23/4/17 at 2.30pm and marches along the side of the market and back onto Old Street up to Albion Church for the service, which will be carried out by 2nd Ashton Scouts. If you would like to help marshal the parade or join Scouts as a leader or just help out contact alan.fish.161te@gmail.com

07931765120 or go to www.gmescouts.org.uk/join or ask any Scout leader on the parade.

Local Community Matters is a grass-roots non-profit organisation whose sole purpose is to produce a showcase magazine which celebrates local business and personal success and commemorates community spirit by featuring some of the people who make a real difference.